Chapter Text
New Asgard
The week was horrible for Loki, meetings were held, and Thor presented his plans to the United Nations, and soon the countries began to discuss the possibilities, the King of Wakanda was more than willing to be the first to support Thor. Internally, in the United States of America, a trial for Loki began, and in the end he was even satisfied that he had invaded only one country.
The Commodore was close, and Loki was anxious, the Nova Empire informed that a planet had been found for New Asgard.
Captain America was eager to start training Loki, other heroes appeared and Loki soon became irritated with so many, and enjoyed walks with Bruce, who was going to trial for refusing to sign the Sokovia Accords.
— Before we return to Asgard, will you go look for your beloved Betty?
— I don't know... It's been a while.
— A last goodbye, you know that your new permanent home will be Asgard.
— Yes, and I'm decided. — Bruce answers. — I finally feel at peace, after so many years running away and hiding with the Hulk, I'm getting old too, I want to rest and have some peace. Being on this adventure with you and Thor has been a good experience.
— You'll be a good addition to the court, Bruce. — Loki answers.
Tony and Bruce weren't talking to each other, Steve was tempted to try to talk to Loki, and in the end Loki accompanied him to the training, which in the end wasn't bad, Loki enjoyed watching Sam and Bucky while Steve asked them both to stop arguing, pathetic, all of them.
He then fought with Steve and Natasha, Hawkeye showed up a few days later, ready to really attack Loki, Natasha stopped him.
— Loki will be part of the team. Control yourself, Clint. — Natasha says and he grumbles and curses Loki.
Commodore appears in the sky three days before the trial, Loki doesn't know if it's luck or bad luck, but having his daughter back is more than enough. The ship lands at dusk, with Stark and Rhodes guiding the ship to the Avengers base. The two warriors are soon greeted by Thor and then Vali leaves the ship with Fridda, and Loki is soon within reach of them to pick up his daughter, she is in her Aesir form of course, her golden curls have grown, Thor approaches to see the little child. "Let me introduce the Avengers..." Thor says to Vali still close by. He walks away with the two warriors and his sister, the curious Avengers are all on the lawn, and again, surprised by Thor's other sister. Bruce is more than happy to see Brunhilde. When they are inside the residence, Loki soon heads to the room. "And who is the child?" Natasha asks Thor. — … Loki's daughter — Thor says awkwardly, Bruce said it was hard to understand these situations considering everything that happened, and agreed with Loki that it was better not to say anything to the Avengers that could harm Thor's plans.
— Not all nations will like to know this, and if Loki is on trial, what will happen to your agreements? You married the enemy. — Bruce said to Thor the day before, and it made him feel terrible.
— He has a daughter? Is this safe? Where is the mother? — Barton asks.
— Technically he is the mother. — Valkyrie says, she liked Earth's drinks. — You should ask who the father is. — She says winking at Thor.
It didn't get any better the next day with Agent Everett Ross in their office with Dr. Strange early in the morning.
— He has a daughter. You didn’t tell this before — Ross says harshly to Thor. — How old is the child?
— Two — Thor says, guessing a random time.
— He can't fight — Tony says. — He was very weak while we fought Thanos, he wasn't well, the baby is practically a newborn.
— Oh, great, well, the agreements include that he start training immediately,— Ross says.
— Postpone,— Tony replies. — He'll have to serve his sentence. Just postpone it a few months.
— I want him to undergo a medical examination, Strange, you can do that, use your magic or anything, I want a medical report. — Ross finishes speaking.
Loki is more than furious, but these are the demands. He is in a glass-walled room, like a lab rat. His demanding daughter didn't like the temperatures of the Avengers' facility, and was back in her Jotun form, forcing Loki into his Jotun form as well. Stephen was with him and Bruce inside the room.
— As far as I know, Jotuns don't have blond hair and blue eyes. — He says, looking at the sleeping child. — Loki smiles. — Don't say anything at the trial.
— I thought you were going to say she shouldn't exist.
— You already know that. — Strange answers. He runs tests and checks everything with Bruce's supervision. The report he provides clarifies Loki's conditions. By decree, the child would still need his father. At almost two months old, it was determined that Loki could not yet serve his sentence as an Avenger, and they decided that it would be postponed until the child was six months old.
— Minimum time for maternity leave. — Ross says. — Even so, he will serve his sentence on Earth. You'll have good lessons about our laws and sovereignty.
— This is ridiculous! — Loki complains when he hears what they were planning.
— You're lucky they chose your punishment, because your crimes against humans deserved the death penalty — Maria Hill says. — Murder, brainwashing, destruction and attempted world domination.
— World domination? Is your country the whole world? — Loki replies teasingly.
— You only received a lenient sentence because of Thor, don't complain. — Strange scolds.
When the trial arrives, Loki puts on his Asgardian clothes, but not his helmet. The oval, high-ceilinged room where he is taken is strange, with biased lighting. The Avengers are there, and the king of Wakanda. To Loki's surprise, he sees Baldr among those present. Vali is there with Fridda in her arms. The two warriors walk in front of him, guiding him to where he will stand before everyone as a defendant. Thor is right behind him with his hand on his shoulder.
The representatives of the United States are all there, Loki hates everyone present for the show. The jury begins with their rituals, and then Maria Hill declares the incidents of Loki justifying the trial. The invasion when he came to attack Thor in New Mexico, the invasion and attack on the Avengers, having opened a wormhole in New York, dead civilians, attempted domination of the population, brainwashing, etc., etc.
The defense spoke about Thanos, Baldr explained about Thanos and how he had captured the prince of Asgard, and how in the end Loki fought alongside the Avengers to defeat him.
— Loki was tried and served his sentence in Asgard for crimes against his people.
— And how long was that sentence?
— One year. He was released after his help in the war in Asgard. — Baldr says, he claims that Odin would have done so. It was the first time Loki had seen Baldr deliberately lie. Interesting. And as further proof of what was said, there was Jane Foster, she had aged since the last time, still beautiful, however, she confirmed everything, in her own point of view of her quick stay in Asgard. The prosecution was still not satisfied with Asgard's very lenient sentence, after all Loki was a prince of two kingdoms.
— Loki served his sentence according to the laws of Asgard. He had his comforts, I admit, for being prince of Asgard and Jotunheim, and while Thor was temporarily abdicating the throne, Loki is the next in line. — Baldr explained.
— If Thor, by any chance, decides to be a full Avenger, and temporarily, as you said, abdicates the throne. Loki would then be the king?
— Yes. And he was the king during the time Thor was on Earth and outside. — There were commotions. A break was called when Fridda began to cry. Loki was in a room alone, watched by guards, two inside the room and others outside, at the door and windows. Loki was taking care of his daughter under the watchful eyes of Maria Hill who was now entering the room.
— What's the name?
— Fridda. — Loki answers. — And yes, it's because of that woman from Earth.
— Frida Khalo? Really? — Maria seemed surprised.
— Bruce was quite convincing.
— Benner? — Maria comes a little closer, looking over, seeing the child, it was difficult to keep her in Aesir form, but it was stuffy, and her Aesir body could handle the heat better. Her golden curls on top of her head, her eyes were closed and she was sleeping now, she was wrapped in a blue cloak with golden stitching, a gift brought by Baldr. — What happened to the other… parent?
— He's not dead if that's what you ask. — Loki answers. He was ready to go back, the sooner the better, it would be over sooner. — Where is my sister?
Vali was called and took Fridda, Loki asked for a simple spell of rest so that she wouldn't wake up again. Thor was waiting to accompany him. They barely had time to talk to each other, while Vali was still close, he kissed Fridda's forehead, Thor just wanted a moment at least to hold his daughter. They returned to the jury. The Avengers spoke one by one about the attack on New York, Maria Hill spoke too. Bruce, however, was not summoned, nor was Thor. When his defense was finally called again, Sif was the first to speak, he was questioned about Loki's conduct and the events of his attacks on Midgard. —
— Loki has a temper, he always had while we grew up. — Sif spoke sincerely. — What happened in New Mexico was a sibling dispute, between Thor and Loki, and both suffered their consequences for the events. Unfortunately, Thanos took advantage of this weakness to take Loki. The loss of Loki was greatly mourned in Asgard. — They did not seem satisfied, Ross seemed even more irritated. — His time as king was very prosperous in Asgard. Loki was educated to be a diplomat among his brothers, and as king, he brought peace between kingdoms that had long been declared enemies.
Loki smiled with satisfaction, and when Thor could speak, it was no different.
— Our disputes put your people in danger once, and there is no greater pride for me than being part of the Avengers. Just as I learned a lot about Earth and humans and their good virtues and empathy, Loki will also be able to learn these things.
When they were finally released, the jury deliberated for almost two hours. Loki was once again isolated in the same room. He was only allowed to have his daughter, and now it was only her in his arms that he had as he paced back and forth in the small room. Maria Hill had grown tired of waiting and was bothered by the god's walking.
— I don't think you're bad. At first I thought your problem was being the youngest son, but you are the middle son, which also justifies your desire for attention. — Loki stopped and turned back to the couch and sat down. — But you're also adopted, aren't you. Thor never really explained the family situation, you have two other siblings. And the oldest one isn't the king. — She looked at Loki. — Thor is the golden son.
— Yes. Odin's precious golden son.
— Is it envy or was it your father's narcissism?
— A little of both. — Loki smiled. — Did you notice that looking at us?
— It's not difficult, Baldr seems to be the king, but he's not, Thor is the king but he doesn't seem to be or doesn't want to be, he prefers to be an avenger, then you're next on the throne, a diplomat and you do everything like a diplomat would resolve conflicts, and then there's your sister, in the shadows of her brothers. What exactly does she do?
— She was the protected jewel of Asgard, learning to weave and one day weave the future and be the wife of some king. — Loki looks at his own daughter.
— Ah, misogyny everywhere.
— That's why I was taught to be a diplomat and not a king, even though I am the rightful king of Jotunheim.
— How does this work? You are... you have a daughter, right?
— Some would call her a hermaphrodite. Your curiosity surpasses your modesty, I realize.
— Sorry... Anyway, it was explained to the jury, how you have a baby and why you can't start your sentence immediately. — That made him uncomfortable, the conversation turned to another subject, Maria was more interested in what led Bruce to give up everything to go live in Asgard.
When they were finally called, the decision had been made. Loki would spend the next four months in the custody of the Avengers. His returns to Asgard when requested by the kings would be accompanied by at least two Avengers or agents. His magical handcuffs would remain on throughout his sentence. He would learn about Earth as an Asgard diplomat so that Thor could carry out his wish of making Midgard part of the great transactional schemes of the Nine Realms and the Galaxy. After that, Loki would serve as an Avenger for at least two years. All this time with his handcuffs on. Thor signed the Sokovia Accords, and Bruce was stripped of his Avengers-related titles.
Back at the Avengers base, Loki went straight to the room he had been assigned, next to Thor's. Thor quickly followed him, and the Avengers left them like that to discuss. When the rain outside began, no one said anything. Baldr had left and Vali chatted affectionately with all the Avengers, Tony was the most curious, Bruce took care of packing his bags with Natasha's help.
The next morning Baldr was there again, with a new Mjolnir adorned with runes and knots, straight from Nidavellir. Thor was happy to see his precious hammer back to life, this one a little bigger and more suitable for a king.
— The King needs his own weapon again, — Baldr said. — Are you ready? — Thor was. The Avengers were approaching.
— My friends are going with us — he informed his brother.
— The show is yours. Our people await in that great ship, New Asgard awaits you, brother,— Baldr said. Once everyone was gathered around Thor, he pulled Loki closer, so that Fridda was well hidden between her parents. Mjolnir was attached to his belt, and Thor raised Stormbreaker and called the bifrost. They are transported to a rocky planet, the sky is clear and blue.
— The water runs in the depths, the sky is lit up with the branches of Yggdrasil as soon as you summon it and call the new Asgard to this new land. — Baldr says. He asks the avengers to move away a little, the people have already gotten off the ship and are a few meters away, the four brothers are close by.
Loki holds his daughter in his arms while Strange removes his magical handcuffs. And it feels so good to feel his sedir run through everything, he feels the power surrounding him. Thor takes the infinity stones from his dimensional pocket, Baldr draws the new runes on Odin's spear, and the stones are attracted to the spear. Thor holds it with both hands, the sky begins to darken and the air becomes electrifying. The brothers stand behind Thor as he feels each of the runes.
Past, present and future, everything that was, is and will be. Thor has his feet firmly on the ground, he feels the earth beneath his boots, the sky above him, his prayers and his blessings so that the prosperity of this new planet will ensure the life of Asgard and its people. Vali has his prayers said in his language too, for the good of his people and their longevity, Baldr for the protection and sovereignty of his people. Loki holds his daughter in his arms and touches their foreheads together, he longs for longevity, for power and destiny, for his family and his people.
The ground trembles as Thor climbs a few meters, thunder rumbling and the air electrified, when he finally lands with a bang, Gungnir hits the ground with the power of the infinity stones and the entire planet trembles at his feet, water and grass come out of the rocks, the sky lights up with the stars of Yggdrasil, time passes quickly before his feet, the structures reappear, the memory of his people's unity.
Asgard reappears before their eyes, its rivers and its trees, its animals and its houses, everything that once was was back and right in the center in the distance could be seen the golden palace, below them a lawn on top of a flat mountain. The people are shouting in joy, Thor releases Gungnir from the earth, it was done, New Asgard is reborn, the people are soon kneeling before their king in gratitude, his avenging friends look open-mouthed, Thor looks like a splendor of power. Loki approaches to embrace him and their foreheads touch, his daughter between them. Everyone walks down the mountain to the kingdom, the people disperse back to what they know to be their homes, and the most distant villages are not far away where the people continue their path, the Odison Siblings followed by the heroes of Midgard walk to the palace. The new residents rescued from Sakaar are led by the people themselves to see the villages.
They enter the golden palace, it is grand, the ceiling was once again painted with the old painting that once covered Hela. There was Odin in the center with Gungnir, and his wife on the left side, on the opposite side of them in the circle the four childs of Odin. Baldr in his posture, the handsome son of Frigga, his red hair and beauty well drawn, but the highlight of course was the brother next to him, the golden son of Odin, Thor, and next to him Loki and Vali portrayed as twins and their hands joined.
The throne was right in front of them. The rainbow bridge could be seen in the distance. Heimdall, it was strange to think that he was no longer with them. They barely had time to process their losses.
— To the throne, King of Asgard and the Nine Realms. — Loki says, pulling Thor out of his reverie. Thor looks at the throne and approaches, Gungnir in his hand.
— It's your throne, Thor. — Baldr says. — By right, it's always been yours.
— I wanted it long time ago, but then... it wasn't what I wanted, it was Odin... It seems I don't have many choices yet. — He feels Loki's hand on his shoulder. He looks at Loki and his daughter. Their siblings behind him, and his friends right there too. — But this is the first time I feel truly ready for this. — Thor steps away and sits on the throne, Gungnir in his hand, he sits like a king, Loki forces his Sedir to transform Thor's robes into something worthy of a king, his shining armor and his red cape, and his silver helmet on his head, he looks at Loki and smiles.
The Avengers are enchanted with the castle, and Vali offers to show them the closest rooms and the garden.
— Call the people, celebrate the lives of those who died fighting Thanos and then celebrate the resurgence of Asgard. — Baldr says. — Invite the other kingdoms and present the new princess of Asgard.
— We will do all this. I only have a few days of my freedom. — Loki complains, Fridda is in Thor's lap now.
— You will deal with your consequences. — Baldr says.
— Loki will remain here under supervision according to the agreements that were made about his punishment. — Thor speaks, his voice echoing like thunder in the empty throne room.
— What will you tell your human friends, Thor?
— Don't worry about it, Baldr. — Thor replied.
— The arrogance has reared its ugly head again, I see. Well, you have your responsibilities as kings of Asgard and guardians of the nine realms.
Thor shows the Avengers the battle area and says he would love for them to be there when the coronation takes place. Strange gives Loki a week to return to Earth, he allows Loki to be without his handcuffs, and makes it clear that if Loki does not return, all the agreements Thor longs for will be undone. The Avengers leave and so does Baldr. They organize a symbolic funeral for the warriors who fought against Thanos in the ship's attack, and two days later they hold a celebration for the people and New Asgard, the party lasts three nights, and Bruce adapts to his new home, the Asgardian clothes look strange on him, but he says they are comfortable. The coronation would still be in a few weeks, Vali organizing a big event for the Nine Realms. Loki is unhappy about having to return to Earth, but he agrees to all of Thor's terms. After everything he has done, this is the best fate he could have. Thor is no longer as angry with him as he used to be. Seeing him in his Asgardian clothes and the Gungnir in his hands, the King of Asgard, Loki had waited a long time to see this.
— I did it, Odin . Me.
The people loved Thor of course, the parliament was reconstituted, and areas of the castle were redesigned. They needed a united room for themselves, Fridda would need her own. Queen of Asgard … He heard Thor say this to her, the future queen of Asgard. If he died now, it would have been worth it, leaving his legacy behind, his daughter. What would Odin think of that?
— His love for her is greater than what he feels for you.— Hela whispered in his ear. — It is stronger than yours. And yet, it will hold him to you forever. You did not need me to intertwine your threads. Cowardly God. That is what you are. A fearful god.
— Hela — Loki looks at her. He was in his hot tub, she appeared on the other side. — What brings you here?
— I came to see your progress, of course. You have succeeded. You have reached the throne, Thor is in your hands, and you have changed destiny. The Norns still mourn, can you hear them? The soul of a Norn in the realm of the dead, she mourns more than her two other sisters combined.
— I hear them all the time. — Loki speaks without much emotion, they whispered in his ear. “God of Chaos”, “Destroyer of Destinies ” — They are repetitive. Tell me what you really want.
— Ah, your destiny still owes me. — Hela. — A goddess of death must still be born. My rebirth.
— The life of a Norna is what I gave you. — Loki answered harshly. He want to avoid her.
— I must be born Loki. — Hela repeats and is suddenly behind him. — Odin owes me for stealing my soul.
— I don't understand how this is about me, if I would die. — He asks now, he doesn't have the courage to look at Hela, even though he sees her profile from the corner of his eye.
— You managed to cheat your destiny long before! You were always a stone blocking the rivers of destiny. Isn't it funny? Maybe you're the only Loki who did this.
— And what will happen when the goddess of death is born again.
— I will be reborn. Return to my origin, from where my soul was stolen before I was born. You know how Odin could see the future, and how he orchestrated everything for his own power.
— Will it still be you? — Loki finally looks at her. — Or will your soul start over?
— She will return. Are you afraid that I will be a rebel, father? — She laughs, looking at him.
— Will you remember this life of yours? — Loki speaks again.
— I do not know. But my time is short, and I must be reborn. Helheim needs its goddess. — Loki gets out of the water and covers himself in a large towel and walks back to the room, hoping to push Hela away, knowing that he could not. — I should have been born already, Odin made sure to stop me before, how many times were there, my father? — Hela is in front of him.
— What will happen to Helheim without a guardian? — Loki asks.
— Without reincarnation. No soul will have peace, all trapped in this plane. Do you know how that can disrupt magic? Terribly. — Hela speaks, walking through space.
— You cannot be Thor's daughter. — Loki says, moving away again.
— I should not, but my soul belongs to you. Intertwined in your — Hela says following Loki around — It took me a while to figure out the whole situation, you see, but the Norns like to whisper secrets, and Odin's eye... I saw it all. You saw it too.
— Oh, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I was trying to stop you from killing us! — Loki says, finally getting dressed. — Privacy would be appreciated. — Hela is silent, her long black hair down her back. It was inexplicable the first time Loki saw her when they were attacked after Odin's death. She was almost a clear mirror. Odin and his schemes. Not enough to have killed his brothers to become king, he wanted more conquests, the Eye he gave to the Norns to stay in the branches of Yggdrasil, he saw the future and took the opportunity. He stole Hela's soul before she could be born in the right time as fate planned, and from the ground he took her form and power, uncontrollable as a stolen soul was, he locked her away. She was finally sent to Helheim before her destiny was needed by Surtur, and now her soul was torn apart in conflict, her time to be born had come and her soul was not in its place. She turned to Loki and her illusions were falling apart, half of her body was decomposing. Loki is disgusted and turns his face away, he did not know what would happen if she was not born, her soul had been forged to be born, it was destiny, but what if she was not born? What about Thor's children that Loki had removed from existence just by changing destiny?
— Helheim needs a guardian, my father, there are no more Valkyries. I must be born.
— That was Odin, that's what he did! I owe you nothing! — Loki answers, he fears. His children were all cursed, he knew.
— Odin used my soul to gain power. And I want to be reborn. Now that I know the truth. I do not have all the power I should have. Odin took me from my destiny. Let me control my destiny too! — Hela approaches him, taking his hands. Begging. — Odin took me from you, my father. Let me be reborn, I cannot bear the idea of non-existence. I prefer rebirth to not being. — Loki walks away and Hela disappears behind him.
Five months later
The five months that passed after the New Agasrd were not ideal, but being in control was being livid. Being in the custody of the Avengers was horrible, Steve Rogers was doing everything he could to get the best of him while Tony tried to get information out of him. The classes on politics were interesting, but for Loki, humans were pathetic, their disputes meaningless and their governments even worse, their time between solving hypothetical problems of human conflicts and solving real problems in Asgard.
Thor forgave him in a way about The Norn Thing, they are fine, that's what he tells himself, Thor is a good father, and takes Fridda everywhere he can. It doesn't take long for Tony to try to find out who Fridda's father was, at the coronation he was the first to say "I told so", the representatives of Midgard didn't like very much that Loki was not only the King of Asgard with Thor, but his husband as well.
Hela didn't return, and Loki decided not to think about destiny, he felt the branches of Yggdrasil twisting, the knots curling and breaking, consequences of Loki's mere existence changing everything. Messing up destiny and the mere existence of everything. The Norns still whispered in his ear day and night. But for now, he would enjoy his time away from the Avengers, more or less, Tony was in the lab bothering Bruce and Natasha was with them.
Five years later (2023)
Loki remained in his private room with his books, when he felt the presence of a Sedir user nearby. Putting down his book, he went outside, to the garden where he saw himself. A younger version, in very human clothes, sitting on the grass. His other self looked at him shocked.
— Loki...— He says breathlessly.
— Loki. — Loki answers himself.